Traffic lights



MR. DOSAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS Feb. 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1960 INVENTOR -rm R. DOSAL M. R. DOSAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS Feb. 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1960 INVENTOR Martin Rober'rO Ddsol ATTORNEY M. R. DOSAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS Feb. 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 11, 1960 INVEA/TOR MARTIN ROBERTO DOSAL M. R. DOSAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS Feb. 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 11, 1960 Fla.

Trq ffic Lin e Traffic L ine L-IX INVENTOR Traffic Line Traffic Line FIG" 8'. jnin Roberto Dosdl M. R. DOSAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS Feb. 20, 1962 Filed March 11, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR MARTIN ROBERTO DOSAL ATTORNEY 3,022,491 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 3,022,491 TRAFFIC LIGHTS Martin Roberto Dosal, Box 5362, Miami Shores, Fla.

Filed Mar. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 14,276

3 Claims. (Cl. 340-133) My invention consists in a new and useful improvement in a traffic light for controlling the flow of traffic on two intersecting highways. The peculiarly novel and useful feature of my apparatus is the combination of a single, steadily illuminated lamp for a series of translucent, colored panes disposed thereabout, a rotor carrying said panes, and mechanism adapted to dispose the rotor in successive positions to display said colored panes during successive rest periods.

Of great importance in my apparatus is the fact that there is no possibility of confusion as to the color displayed in each period, because only one colored light can appear at a time. Sunlight cannot cause any confusion as to which colored light is shown, as may happen in the present form of traffic light.

My apparatus needs only one operating mechanism to control the flow of electric current to an electro-magnet for moving the rotor at time intervals, determined by a pre-set timer in said mechanism.

For manual control of my apparatus, there can be provided a manual switch for alternative use to control the flow of electricity, at the will of the operator.

My apparatus has the great advantage of extremely light weight. It is operated by normal electric current and requires a single light bulb instead of twelve bulbs as in the present traflic light for intersecting highways.

My apparatus can also be used to exhibit flashing lights, amber lights for one of said highways and red lights for the other highway. For such use, the movable rotor is stopped and the single bulb is caused to flash at intervals. It can also be used to indicate a period in which vehicular traflic on both intersecting highways be stopped to permit pedestrian trafiic to cross both of said highways.

It is important to note that the single bulb of my apparatus is continuously actuated rather than intermittently, and therefore it will'have much longer life than the bulbs which are intermittently actuated in the present form of trafiic light.

' If the electro-magnet needs capacitors or transformers, these can be installed in the casing carrying the device, thus being protected from the elements.

While I illustrate in the drawings and hereinafter fully describe one specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that I do not consider my invention to be limited to said embodiment but refer for its scope to the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of my improved traffic light suspended above the intersection of two highways.

FIG. 2 is a an enlarged top plan of thelight.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the light.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG .5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 66 of FIG. 5, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of FIG, 6, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-4-8 of FIG. 4, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary end elevation of one of the claws and rnount therefor, for moving the rotor.

FIG. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9, in the direction of the arrows, showing the claw in operative position.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the claw in inoperative position.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal section on the line 1212 of FIG. 4, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, top plan of a pivoted lug for moving an auxiliary frame.

FIG. 14 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits forathwart the trafiic lines L and L-l when the apparatus 7 is mounted by a cable 1 (FIG. 1).

Each side C-Z has a protective cowl C-8 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

The apparatus is mounted on the cable 1 by a suitable clamp C-9 bolted to the cable 1 and from which depends the casing C (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

The apparatus has an octagonal signalling rotor S so dimensioned as to be rotatable in the casing C. The rotor has a top wall S.-1 (FIG. '6) suspended from a hollow shaft S2 having an inverted conical head S-3 removably attached to the shaft S2 by bolts' S4, and rotatable ona ball-bearing ring S-S centrally mounted in the top-C3 of the casing C. The rotor S is provided on its eight sides with a pair of diametrical green panels G, a pair of diametrical amber panels A, and two pairs of diametrical red panels R (FIG. 8). These panels G, A and R are translucent for passage of light supplied by an electric bulb B suitably mounted on the inner face of the bottom wall C5 of the casing C, and centrally disposed relative the panels G, A and R when the hinged Wall C5 is in closed position (FIG. 4).

I will now describe the mechanism for rotating the rotor S. Suitably mounted on the. top wall C-3 of the casing C (FIG. 6) there is a bridge M carryinga ball-bearing ringlvid in which is journaled a bolt MZ threaded into an operating arm M3 oscillatable on the bearing ring MI. On each end 'Of the arm M-3 there is pivoted a depending claw M4 (FIGS. 9, 10 and 11). These claws M4 are received through arcuate slots MS in the top wall C3 of the casing C (FIGS. 4, 5, 9, lOand 11). Suitably mounted on the top wall 0-?) there are two electro-magnets M so disposed relative the pivot bolt MZ of the operating arm M3 as to swing the aim M3 counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5, when energized by suitable electric current supplied thereto by the wires M7, the arm M3 being of material attracted by the magnets M-6. The top wall S1 of the rotor S (FIG. 12) has a plurality of slots M8 adapted to receive therein the ends M9 of the claw M4 to cause the claws M4 to engage the rotor S to oscillate same when the arm M-3 is swung under action ofmagnetsMAi. A- spring M10 (FIG. 5 having one end attached to the top wallC-3 and its other end attached to the arm M-3 returns the arm M3 to its normal position when'the magnets M6 are deenergized.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the arm M-3 under action of magnets M6 is swung in the direction of the arrow shown inFIG. 10, the claws M4 will drop into the slots M8 to cause the claws M4 to engage the rotor S to oscillate same, and when the arm M3 under action of the spring M;1-tl.is swung in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 11 the claws M4 will be withdrawn from the slots M-8 and will slide along the top wall 8-1 of the rotor S. I

The top wall S-l'of the rotor S (FIG. 12) has a plu- 3 rality of slots M41 with which co-act spring fingers M-li2 depending from the top wall C-3 of the casing C (FIG. 4) to stabilize the rotor S in each adjusted position,

In order to provide means for indicating a period in which vehicular trafiic on both of the intersecting highways be stopped to permit pedestrian trafiic to cross both of said highways, my apparatus is provided with an auxiliary frame F (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) comprising a pair of rectangular end plate F1 each having a translucent red pane F-2 and connected at their corners by rods F-3. The upper pair of rods F-3 are connected at their midpoints by a rod F4 (FIG. 8) which is carried by a shaft F-. (FIGS. 6 and 8) journaled in the hollow shaft 8-2 of the rotor S, and having an inverted, conical head F-6 threaded thereon. The head F-6 is oscillatable on a ball bearing ring F-7 mounted on the top wall C-3 of the casing C.

As indicated in FIG. 8, when the frame F is in its normal position, the red panes F-2 are concealed behin two of the closed sides C-1 of the casing C.

It is to be understood that the parts are so dimensioned and related that the frame F, suspended from the shaft F-S, about the bulb B, registers the pane F-Z with the panes G, A and R of the rotor S.

The frame F has a finger F-S (FIGS. 6 and 8) projecting from the frame F to a point slightly spaced from the inner face ofthe rotor S. Suitably pivoted on the inner face of the rotor S there is a lug 1- -9 (FIG. 13) adapted to co-act with the ringer F-S on the frame F, to oscillate the frame F into its, position shown in broken lines in FIG. 8. A contraction spring F-lfi is disposed between V the rotor S and the lug F9 to yieldingly hold the lug F? in operative position. Suitably mounted on the casing C there is a bracket F-ll having a stop finger F-1'2 (FIG. 8) adapted to engage the frame F to limit its degree of oscillation by the lug F-9.

It will be noted (FIGS. 8 and 13) that when the movement of the frame F has been arrested by the finger F42, the lug 1 -9, yielding on further rotation of the rotor S will release the frame F which is returned to its normal position by a contraction spring F-I3 connecting the casing C and the frame F (FIG. 8).

Having described the details of construction of my device, I willnow describe its use and operation.

It is to be understood that a suitable conduit 2. (FIGS. 1-3) carries an electric circuit with a suitable control switch from a suitable source of electricity to the bulb B (FIG. 4), and a second electric circuit from a suitable source of electricity to the electro-magnets M6, the latter circuit having a single suitable switch controlled by the pre-set timer mechanism above mentioned.

When the bulb B is illuminated, it directs rays of light through the translucent panels G, A and R of the rotor S when they are disposed at the four open sides C-2 of the casing C. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the two panels G display green lights for the traflic line L and the two panels R display red lights for the trafiic line L!;, the two panels A and the other two panels R being concealed by the four closed sides C-1 of the casing C, thereby indicating permission for flow of trafiic on the line L and denying permission for flow of trafiicon line L-l.

After expiration of the proper interval for flow of traffic on line L, the circuit to the magnets M6 ismomentarily closed by functioning of the switch controlled by the timer mechanism.

Closing the circuit to the magnets M6, energizing the magnets M-6, causes the magnets M& to swing the operating arm M3 counter-clockwise (FIG. thereby causing the claws M4, gripping the rotor S, to rotate the rotor S counter-clockwise. The parts are so dimensioned and related that each actuation of the magnets M-6 causes the rod M-3 and its claws M4 to move the rotor S an octant of its circumference so that four panels of the rotor S are moved away from the open sides C-2 to the closed sides C-1 and the other four panels of the rotor S are moved from the closed sides C-l to the open sides C-2 of the casing C, thereby changing the lights for the two lines L and L-l.

It is to be noted (FIG. 8) that the two panels G for showing green lights, the two panels A for showing amber lights and the four panels R for showing red lights are so related that the counter-clockwise rotation of the rotor S causes the following successive signals: (1) green for line L and red for line L-l, (2) amber for line L and red for line L4, and (3) green for line L1 and red for line L. I

It is obvious that the proper period for display of each signal is determined by the pre-set timer mechanism.

The foregoing described functioning of my device occurs when the signals are designed for control of both vehicular and pedestrian trafiic at the intersection of the highways, the auxiliary frame F not being used.

I will now describe the operation of my device when it is provided with the frame F.

When, in the above described rotation of the rotor S, the lug F9 is brought into contact with the finger F-8, the frame S is oscillated with the rotor S, the red panes F-2 registering with the panels A of the rotor S, and are brought to the open sides C2 of the casing C. In this way the panes F-2 will cause red lights to be displayed on line L and at the same time the second set of panels R will move to the open sides C-2 of the casing C to cause red lights to be displayed on line L-l, thereby denying permission for flow of vehicular trafiic on both lines L and L-l, to permit free flow of pedestrian traffic.

It is obvious that at the expiration of the Period for pedestrian trafiic further rotation of the rotor S releases the frame F which is returned to normal position.

As above mentioned, my device can be used to display flashing lights during certain period, as between midnight and 6:00 am. for instance. 1

This can be done by providing two circuits for the bulb B, one of which supplies current to the magnets M-6, and a multiple switch forsaid circuits, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 14. The multiple switch SW has points AS and GS connected with a source of electricity SE and ground, respectively, and points BS and CS, and a pivoted switch arm SA for connecting point AS with points BS and CS, alternatively. The point BS has connected to it one of the wires 2 to the bulb E, the other wire 2 from the bulb B being connected to point GS. The point BS also has connected to it one of the wires M7 to the magnet M6, the other wire M-7 being connected to the point GS. The point CS has connected to it the wire 2a to the wire 2 to the bulb B.

As shown in FIG. 14, the wire M7 from the point ES to the magnet M5 has a suitable timer switch TS, and the wire 2a from the point CS to wire 2 to the bulb B has a suitable flashing mechanism FM.

It is to be understood, from FIG. 14, that, when the switch arm SA is positioned to connect points AS and BS, current will flow from the source of electricity SE through first wire 2 to bulb B and throughsecond wire 2 to point GS to cause steady illumination of the bulb B. When the switch arm SA is so positioned the current will flow through first wire M7 having the timer switch TS to the magnet M-6, and through the second wire M-7 to point GS, to cause properly timed actuation of the magnet M-6.

When the switch arm SA is positioned to connect points AS and CS, current will flow from the source of electricity SE through wire 2-a having the flashing mechanism FM, to wire 2 to bulb B, to cause intermittent illumination of the bulb B.

It is obvious that when. the switch arm SA is in its second position, the circuit to the magnet M-6 is open so that the rotor S is at rest.

It is obvious that my device can be profded with means adapted to open the circuit from the timer to the magnets M-6 and close a manually controlled circuit thereto, for manual operation of the device.

It is to be understood that the casing C is suitably provided with all necessary means for fully protecting from the weather the mechanism housed therein.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for displaying trafiic lights, the combination of an octagonal casing having four closed sides and four open sides serving as windows, and a top wall having a pair of arcuate slots; a rotor rotatably suspended from said top wall of said casing and having a top wall having therein eight slots symmetrically disposed about the center of said top wall of said rotor; eight translucent, colored panels mounted in said rotor and comprising two diametrical green panels, two diametrical amber panels, a first pair of diametrical red panels and a second pair of two diametrical red panels; a single lamp mounted centrally of said casing and within said rotor; an operating arm journaled on said top wall of said casing; a spring having one end fixed on said top wall of said casing and its other end fixed on said arm for biasing said arm into normal position; at least one electro-magnet so mounted on said top wall of said casing as to oscillate said arm when energized; means adapted to intermittently energize said electro-magnet; a pair of claws pivotally mounted on the ends of said arm and passed through said slots in said top wall of said casing, respectively, said claws entering said slots in the top wall of said rotor to engage and rotate said rotor when said arm is oscillated by said electromagnet, and leaving said slots in said top wall of said rotor when said spring returns said arm to normal position.

2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, in which said rotor is suspended from said top wall of said casing by a hollow shaft, a frame rotatably suspended in said rotor by a shaft passing through said hollow shaft and carried by a ball-bearing on said top wall of said casing, and having on its ends a pair of translucent, red panels, respectively, said panels registering with said panels of said rotor, and a finger projecting from said frame, a lug so pivoted on said rotor as to engage said finger to oscillate said frame when said rotor is rotated, a bracket so mounted on said casing and having a stop finger thereon, as to limit the degree of oscillation of said frame and to cause said lug to become disengaged from said finger, and a contraction spring on said bracket and said frame for returning said frame to normal position when said lug is disengaged from said finger. I

3. An apparatus, according to claim 1, in'which said lamp is electrically operated and provided wtih a first electric circuit for constant flow of electricity to said lamp and a second electric circuit for intermittent flow of electricity to said lamp, for steady lighting and flashing lighting, respectively, and said means to energize said electromagnet is an electric circuit for intermittent flow of electricity to said electro-magnet, and a multiple .switch is provided for closing said first circuit and opening said second circuit to said lamp, and closing said'circuit to said electro-magnet, when said switch is in one position, and opening said first circuit and closing said second circuit to said lamp, and opening said circuit to said electro-magnet when said switch is in a second position.

Johnson May 6, 1930 Braun et a1 Feb. 8, 1938 

